Madam or ma'am is a title for a woman. It is derived from the French madame, the equivalent of Mrs. or Ms., and literally signifying "my lady." The plural of madam in this sense is mesdames. The French madame is in turn derived from the ancient Latin mea domina meaning honored mistress of the home (domus) ^[1] Madam may refer to: Madam, a respectful title for a woman (often Maam or Madame) Madam (fashion), a Japanese fashion style Madam-6, a psychoactive drug Madam, a term for a woman who manages a brothel: see pimp Madame, a puppet made famous by entertainer Wayland Flowers Madames... A title is a prefix or suffix added to a persons name to signify either veneration, an official position or a professional or academic qualification. ... Diverse women. ... Mrs (or Mrs. ... Ms or Ms. ... A lady is a woman who is the counterpart of a lord; or, the counterpart of a gentleman. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ...

Use as a form of address

Madam is used in direct address, without the woman's name, for example when addressed by a stranger: May I help you, madam? In the United States, "Ma'am" is usually used, although some women may feel insulted when addressed as "ma'am" because it makes them feel old. The male equivalent is sir. Look up sir in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Formal address and protocol

In English-speaking countries, the wife of a foreign dignitary is called Madame (note final 'e') in direct address and formal correspondence, rather than the equivalent word in the person's native language (Señora, Frau etc.).

After addressing her as "Your Majesty," it is proper to address The Queen of the United Kingdom as "Ma'am" for the remainder of the conversation. This article is about the monarchy of the United Kingdom, one of sixteen that share a common monarch; for information about this constitutional relationship, see Commonwealth realm; for information on the reigning monarch, see Elizabeth II. For information about other Commonwealth realm monarchies, as well as other relevant articles, see...

Usage of "Ma'am" is common in the Southern United States. The Ascencion Parish Public Schools requires elementary school students to address female teachers as "Ma'am" or "Mrs./Ms./Miss (Family name)" ^[2]. Historic Southern United States. ...

In composed titles

Madam is also used as the equivalent of Mr. in composed titles, such as Madam Justice, Madam Speaker, Madam President. Most of these titles are usually used only in direct address, without the woman's last name: one would say President Smith, not Madam President Smith, even if one would address her to her face as Madam President. Mr. ...

However, the title Madam Justice is used in third-person reference: Madam Justice Louise Arbour, Madam Justice Arbour. Louise Arbour (born February 10, 1947 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) is the current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and a former Supreme Court of Canada Justice. ...

In the United States Supreme Court, rather than adopting the title Madam Justice for female justices, the title Mr. Justice was replaced simply by Justice. Likewise, female presidents of the Republic of Ireland have preferred to be addressed simply as President in direct address, rather than Madam President. Female judges of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales are titled Mrs. Justice rather than Madam Justice, regardless of marital status. However, District Judges are referred to as either Madam or Ma'am. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C., (large image) The Supreme Court of the United States, located in Washington, D.C., is the highest court (see supreme court) in the United States; that is, it has ultimate judicial authority within the United States... Her Majestys High Court of Justice (known more simply as the High Court) is, together with the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, part of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in England and Wales: see Courts of England and Wales. ... A federal judge is a judge appointed in accordance with Article III of the United States Constitution. ...

Military and police use

"Ma'am" is commonly used to address female officers of the rank of Inspector and above in British police forces and female Commissioned Officers and Warrant Officers in the British Armed Forces. Inspector is a rank in many police forces. ... An officer is a member of a military, naval, or if applicable, other uniformed services who holds a position of responsibility. ... For Warrant Officers in the United States military, see Warrant Officer (United States). ... The armed forces of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majestys Armed Forces, and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown[1], encompasses a navy, army, and an air force. ...

In the United States Armed Forces, "ma'am" (to rhyme with "ham") is used to address female commissioned officers and Warrant Officers. Marine recruits and Air Force trainees also address female non-commissioned officers as "ma'am." The armed forces of the United States of America consist of the United States Army United States Navy United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Coast Guard Note: The United States Coast Guard has both military and law enforcement functions. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... “The U.S. Air Force” redirects here. ... A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or Noncom, is an enlisted member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer. ...

Ancien régime France

Look up Madam in
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Under the Ancien régime, Madame was the wife of Monsieur, the eldest of the King's brothers. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 150 languages. ... Ancien Régime, a French term meaning Former Regime, but rendered in English as Old Rule, Old Order, or simply Old Regime, refers primarily to the aristocratic social and political system established in France under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties. ... Monsieur means My Lord in French, and is now generally used as an honorific for all men, the equivalent to the English Mister. ...

See also

• Mrs.
• Ms.
• Miss
• Mr.
• Wayland Flowers: Created a famous puppet named Madame.

Mrs (or Mrs. ... Ms or Ms. ... “Señorita” redirects here. ... Mr. ... Wayland Flowers (November 26, 1939 - October 11, 1988) was a ventriloquist. ...

References

1. ^ Caesar And Christ, Will Durrent, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1944
2. ^ (Ascension Parish Public Schools)